Store-bought vegetables don’t taste that great, she said. To remedy the problem, they constructed a greenhouse. Their basement is also used to start growing vegetables while snow still blankets the ground outside.

The Alaska State Troopers and the Department of Public Safety are organizing a Citizen Academy in Soldotna designed to enhance the public’s understanding of troopers’ community role.

The objective is not preparing graduates to become troopers, but rather promoting an understanding of the Soldotna-based E Detachment’s functions and services. According to a press release, unrealistic Hollywood ideals spread misinformation about policing across the country.

It’s not a shot-type spirit in the least, said High Mark Distillery owner Felicia Keith-Jones. The Sterling-based distillery produces a unique spirit called applejack, an alcoholic beverage produced from apples. Her recipe has Scottish roots.

“So, you may get some haggis on the table, and as you’re getting ready to take a bite here comes the relief,” she said recalling Christmas dinners with the family. “They’d sip the applejack from glasses.”

The Soldotna City Council discussed capital budget-related projects Wednesday during a special work session. The potential projects would use hundreds of thousands of dollars of the city’s capital projects budget but they will guide the future of the city.

City manger Mark Dixon, who traveled to Juneau with city engineer Kyle Kornelis in an effort to strengthen the city’s ability to obtain grants, held the work session after the council expressed an interest in being more involved in the overall process of capital projects.

State lawmakers have introduced a bill that would expand the rules of school-related bullying. House Bill 45 changes the wording of two existing state laws, the second of which adds “electronic communication” to the definition of harassment, intimidation or bullying.

Rep. Kurt Olson is co-sponsoring the bipartisan bill, which is being reviewed by the Education and Judiciary committees. A handful of additional legislators also have signed on in support of the bill since its introduction.

The two dog deaths during the Tustumena 200 Sled Dog Race occurred due to fluid build-up in the dogs’ lung tissue. Although the dogs died of similar causes, there is no connection between the deaths, according to the race’s veterinarian.

Fox, a 2-year-old female on Kasilof musher Paul Gebhardt’s team, died while nearing the finish of the race. Jack, a 3-year-old male on Girdwood musher Nicolas Petit’s team, died between the race’s Homer and Freddie’s Roadhouse checkpoints.